Delta Chat vs HopNet
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Delta Chat
This decentralized messenger offers private, secure, and reliable instant messaging. It allows for easy setup on multiple devices and supports multiple chat profiles without requiring a phone number. Enjoy end-to-end encryption and the flexibility to run it with your own email or server.
- Decentralized instant messaging
- Private onboarding without phone number
- End-to-end encryption
- Multiple chat profiles
- Works on multiple devices
- Self-hosted option
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Delta Chat is a reliable decentralized instant messenger that is easy and fun to use for friends, family, groups and organizations. Delta Chat is developed by a dedicated FOSS contributor community that jointly releases refinements and new features several times a year, across many stores and platforms world-wide. Features at a glance: • Private. Instant on-boarding without a phone number or other private data. • Friends & Family: Only chat with people you know. Unknown users cannot message or follow you without mutual consent. • Flexible. Supports multiple chat profiles and is easy to setup on multiple devices. • Reliable. Works under bad and adversarial network conditions. • Secure. Audited End-to-End encryption safe against network and server attacks. • Sovereign. Can be run with your own e-mail address or server. • FOSS. Fully Open Source/Free Software, built on Internet Standards.
HopNet
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HopNet sends messages directly from your phone to theirs, protected by end-to-end encryption. There's no sign-up and no central message database — your conversations belong to you. When the other phone is offline, an encrypted envelope waits briefly on a relay that cannot read it — then it's gone. Photos and videos between online phones travel directly. HopNet is a private messenger with nothing to breach. HopNet lets you exchange end-to-end-encrypted messages, photos, videos, voice messages, and calls — one-to-one or in small private groups — with people you add yourself, so no one, including us, can read your conversations. You're only ever in touch with people you choose. You add a contact by scanning their QR code, in person. HopNet has no random matching, no "chat with strangers" mode, and no public directory — only the people you've added can reach you. Why HopNet is different • No phone number, no email, no account — your identity is a key that lives only on your phone. • End-to-end encryption — the same proven design used by leading secure messengers (X3DH and the Double Ratchet). • Voice & video calls — end-to-end encrypted, and they connect even on restrictive networks. • Photos & voice notes in groups — shared with the same end-to-end encryption as your messages. • Private offline delivery — when your contact is offline, your message waits in an encrypted "blind mailbox" that no one, not even us, can read, and is deleted once delivered. • You're in control — verify contacts with safety numbers, lock the app with Face ID, block or report anyone, and wipe everything instantly. Safety HopNet has zero tolerance for objectionable content and abusive users. You can block or report any contact at any time from the chat menu, and reports are reviewed within 24 hours. How it works 1. Open HopNet — a private identity is created on your device. 2. Scan a friend's QR code (or have them scan yours). 3. Start chatting, privately. HopNet is in active development. We'd love your feedback — Settings, then Send Feedback. Note: when you're connected to a contact, they may see your IP address, as with other direct-connection messengers. Use a VPN if that matters to you.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: HopNet at every 2 days against Delta Chat's every 3 weeks. HopNet also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Delta Chat ships an update every 3 weeks, HopNet every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Delta Chat | HopNet |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (122 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 61.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 122 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 97 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | merlinux | ANTON SHIFMAN |
In-app purchases
Delta Chat
No in-app purchases
HopNet
No in-app purchases









